Three years ago, Lafayette Police Department's Santa Cop program -- through which the department gathers donated toys and monetary gifts to provide presents to low-income kids -- received nominations for 26 families in need.

Saturday, Dec. 15, the lower-level meeting room at Lafayette Public Library was overflowing for the annual Santa Cop gift-distribution event after 72 families and 233 kids were nominated this year.

"We've done this for a number of years, but our numbers have doubled in the last three years," Lafayette Police Chief Rick Bashor said.

In 2010, the department received 26 families nominations, which equated to 88 kids. In 2011, the numbers jumped to 44 nominations and 149 kids, before pushing well past 200 this year.

But the police department, thanks to community donations, has kept up with the rising need for holiday assistance in the community.

On Saturday, the library meeting room was filled with smiling youngsters overjoyed to take home a free stuffed animal and book, eat cookies and, of course, receive their gifts from Santa.

"We've been able to do this with minimal impact to the city budget," Bashor said. "Our community partners, like Walmart, and private citizens really step up and come through for these families.

"It's really an incredible display of community and Christmas spirit," Bashor added.

Ruby Morquecho, a 26-year-old Lafayette mother who brought five kids to Saturday's Santa Cop event, said the program helped make Christmas special for her family.

"I think it's good because when I told them that Santa was going to come they were very excited, mostly for the toys," Morquecho said. "I want to say to these people, thank you so very much, and God bless."

Through the program, gifts are specifically purchased for each individual child, based on what they've asked Santa for. With many Lafayette families' Christmases on the line, Santa Cop shopping is a task the department takes very seriously.

"We have people tell us each year how important this program is for their family and their kids," Lafayette Police Cmdr. Gene McCausey said. "A lot of parents request that they just come in and pick up the presents and take them home to put under the tree, because these may be the only presents they'll have this year."

Police department volunteer Sandy Dunn, who witnessed her first Santa Cop event on Saturday, said the program embodies the spirit of Christmas.

"For the kids, this is absolutely wonderful," said Dunn, who passed out cookies and drinks on Saturday. "The children seem to be so appreciative and to see the smiles on the parents' faces, it's just so heartwarming."